We proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the Word of our salvation. If the church is the Body of Christ, then we have to understand how it is the source of our salvation. In what way are we saved in the concrete historical experience of our continuing life in the church?
In the Hebrew Scriptures, the term for save has the basic meaning of help. God is the one who is help. “He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.” (Psalm 40:2) This is the God who comes to me in my need and offers me help. Because of the extreme loneliness that exists in many people’s lives and the many forces which reinforce that loneliness, the first level at which people may experience salvation in the church in our secular society is that of genuine community.
In the New Testament the word translated save carries the dual meaning of to save and to heal. Therefore as we read the Gospels, we witness Jesus saving people in times of great need. A widow who has lost her only son and therefore her only protector in society is rescued from that situation by Jesus. A hungry crowd is saved from their hunger. He also heals people who are lame, have dropsy, are blind, etc.
Consider the relationship between Jesus’ healing (saving) ministry and today’s starvation for community.
